TECHNICAL FIELD
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The present invention relates to a flavor inhaler.
BACKGROUND ART
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Flavor inhalers for inhaling flavors and the like without burning of materials have conventionally been known. There are known flavor inhalers such as these which have, for example, an accommodating portion for accommodating a flavor-generating article, and a gasket and a guide member for fixing the accommodating portion (see PTL 1, for example).
CITATION LIST
PATENT LITERATURE
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
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In the flavor inhaler according to PTL 1, a gasket and a guide member sandwich a flange portion of the accommodating portion to fix the accommodating portion to a housing. In this case, the gasket and the accommodating portion need to be bonded together by an adhesive. However, in this flavor inhaler, since the flavor-generating article accommodated in the accommodating portion is heated, the accommodating portion may also be heated at the same time, which risks deterioration of the adhesive due to heat. Further, a step of applying the adhesive is also required in order to mount the gasket to the accommodating portion.
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One object of the present invention is to provide a flavor inhaler that allows for mounting of a gasket to an accommodating portion without the use of an adhesive.
SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
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According to a first aspect, a flavor inhaler is provided. The flavor inhaler comprises an accommodating portion having an opening formed at one end thereof and accommodating at least a part of a flavor-generating article via the opening, and a gasket supporting the accommodating portion. The accommodating portion includes a tubular portion configured to surround an outer circumference of the flavor-generating article, and a flange portion formed on the accommodating portion. The gasket covers an upper face, a lower face, and a side face of the flange portion to support the flange portion.
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According to the first aspect, the flange portion of the accommodating portion can be inhibited from becoming dislodged from the gasket because the flange portion and the gasket are at least engaged. Therefore, the gasket can be mounted onto the accommodating portion without the use of an adhesive, so it is possible to inhibit detachment of the gasket from the accommodating portion due to heat, and to inhibit an increase in the number of steps due to use of the adhesive.
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An air layer may be formed between the gasket and the tubular portion.
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In this case, the heat of the flavor-generating article accommodated in the tubular portion can be inhibited from being conducted directly to the gasket via the tubular portion when the flavor-generating article is heated, so the thermal insulation properties of the flavor inhaler and the efficiency of heating the flavor-generating article can be improved.
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The gasket may be integrally molded with the flange portion.
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In this case, since the gasket is fixed to the flange portion, movement of the accommodating portion relative to the gasket can be inhibited when the flavor-generating article is inserted into or removed from the accommodating portion. As a result, the user can stably insert/remove the flavor-generating article into/from the accommodating portion. In addition, a seal can be formed between the gasket and the flange portion, which can inhibit aerosol or vapor generated in the accommodating portion from flowing out from between the gasket and the flange portion.
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The flavor inhaler has an enclosure that accommodates the accommodating portion therein, and the accommodating portion may be fixed to the enclosure by the gasket alone.
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In this case, the heat of the flavor-generating article inside the accommodating portion can be prevented from being conducted to the enclosure via members other than the accommodating portion and the gasket, so the thermal insulation properties of the flavor inhaler and the efficiency of heating the flavor-generating article can be improved.
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The shape of the opening viewed from a longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion and the external shape of the flange portion may be different.
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In this case, the flange portion may have any external shape, so the flange portion having a shape which engages with the gasket can inhibit movement of the accommodating portion relative to the gasket.
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The shape of the opening viewed from the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion may be circular.
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In this case, even if a circumferential force is applied to the accommodating portion when the flavor-generating article is inserted into or removed from the accommodating portion, the flange portion having a non-circular external shape engages with the gasket circumferentially and becomes susceptible to resistance. Circumferential movement of the accommodating portion can therefore be inhibited. Also, since the cross-sectional shape of the flavor-generating article is generally circular, the flavor-generating article can be easily inserted into the opening.
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The accommodating portion may have an upright portion extending from the flange portion at an angle to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion.
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In this case, even if a circumferential force is applied to the accommodating portion when the flavor-generating article is inserted into or removed from the accommodating portion, the upright portion engages with the gasket circumferentially and becomes susceptible to resistance. Circumferential movement of the accommodating portion can therefore be inhibited.
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The gasket may be configured to guide the flavor-generating article inserted into the accommodating portion.
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In this case, the flavor-generating article can be easily positioned in relation to the accommodating portion by means of the gasket.
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The flavor inhaler may have an enclosure accommodating the accommodating portion therein, and a part of the gasket may be exposed from the enclosure.
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In this case, since the user can easily insert the flavor-generating article into the gasket, the flavor-generating article can be positioned even more easily in relation to the accommodating portion.
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The accommodating portion may include a pressing portion configured to press the flavor-generating article accommodated in the accommodating portion.
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In this case, the flavor-generating article can be stably held by the accommodating portion. Also, in this case, since the pressing portion makes it difficult for the flavor-generating article in the accommodating portion to move, forces in a circumferential direction and an insertion direction are readily applied to the accommodating portion when the flavor-generating article is inserted into or removed from the accommodating portion. As such, when the flange portion is fixed to or engaged with the gasket, movement of the accommodating portion relative to the gasket can be inhibited when the flavor-generating article is inserted into or removed from the accommodating portion. As a result, the user can stably insert/remove the flavor-generating article into/from the accommodating portion.
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The tubular portion may be configured to heat the flavor-generating article.
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In this case, since the flange portion of the accommodating portion is supported by the gasket, the heat of the tubular portion can be inhibited from being conducted to the flange portion as compared to when the tubular portion of the accommodating portion is supported by the gasket. Note that the tubular portion may be heated by a resistance heater provided in the tubular portion, or the tubular portion may include a susceptor and the susceptor may be inductively heated.
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The flange portion may extend from an edge portion defining the opening.
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In this case, since the flange portion is provided at a position furthest from the tubular portion, the heat of the flavor-generating article accommodated in the tubular portion can be inhibited from being conducted through the flange portion. As a result, the thermal insulation properties of the flavor inhaler and the efficiency of heating the flavor-generating article can be improved.
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The accommodating portion may have a bottom wall portion sealing the other end opposite the opening.
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In this case, no air is drawn in from the bottom of the accommodating portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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- Fig. 1A is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment.
- Fig. 1B is a schematic top view of the flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment.
- Fig. 1C is a schematic bottom view of the flavor inhaler according to the present embodiment.
- Fig. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a flavor-generating article.
- Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler as viewed in the direction of the arrows 3-3 shown in Fig. 1B.
- Fig. 4A is a perspective view of a chamber.
- Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber as viewed in the direction of the arrows 4B-4B shown in Fig. 4A.
- Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber as viewed in the direction of the arrows 5A-5A shown in Fig. 4B.
- Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber as viewed in the direction of the arrows 5B-5B shown in Fig. 4B.
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 5B, showing a state in which the flavor-generating article is arranged in a desired position within the chamber.
- Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of the chamber and a gasket.
- Fig. 8 is a schematic top view of a flange portion of the chamber of another embodiment.
- Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of the chamber and gasket according to another embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
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Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, identical or corresponding constituent elements will be assigned the same reference symbols and duplicate descriptions will not be given.
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Fig. 1A is a schematic front view of a flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 1B is a schematic top view of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 1C is a schematic bottom view of the flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment. An X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system may be applied in the drawings described in the present specification for convenience of description. In this coordinate system, the Z-axis is oriented longitudinally upwards, the X-Y plane is arranged cutting across the flavor inhaler 100 in a horizontal direction, and the Y-axis is arranged extending from a front face to a rear face of the flavor inhaler 100. The Z-axis may refer to a direction in which a flavor-generating article accommodated in a chamber 50 of an atomization unit 30 (described below) is inserted, or to an axial direction of the chamber 50. Also, the X-axis is a direction orthogonal to the Y-axis and the Z-axis.
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The flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to generate an aerosol containing a flavor by, for example, heating a stick-type flavor-generating article having a flavor source containing an aerosol source.
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As shown in Fig. 1A to Fig. 1C, the flavor inhaler 100 comprises an outer housing 101 (corresponding to an example of the enclosure), a slide cover 102, and a switch unit 103. The outer housing 101 constitutes the outermost housing of the flavor inhaler 100 and is sized to fit in a user's hand. When the user uses the flavor inhaler 100, the user can inhale the aerosol while holding the flavor inhaler 100 in their hand. The outer housing 101 may be configured by assembling a plurality of members. The outer housing 101 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from, for example, a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum.
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The outer housing 101 has an opening, not shown, for receiving the flavor-generating article, and the slide cover 102 is slidably attached to the outer housing 101 to close this opening. Specifically, the slide cover 102 is configured to be movable along an outer surface of the outer housing 101 between a closed position (the position shown in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B) for closing the opening of the outer housing 101 and an open position for opening the opening. For example, the user can manually operate the slide cover 102 to move the slide cover 102 between the closed position and the open position. Accordingly, the slide cover 102 can permit or restrict access to the inside of the flavor inhaler 100 by the flavor-generating article.
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The switch unit 103 is used to switch the operation of the flavor inhaler 100 ON and OFF. For example, when the user operates the switch unit 103 in a state in which the flavor-generating article is inserted in the flavor inhaler 100, power can be supplied from a power source, not shown, to the heating unit, not shown, thereby heating the flavor-generating article without burning the flavor-generating article. The switch unit 103 may be a switch provided on the outside of the outer housing 101, or may be a switch located inside the outer housing 101. If the switch is located inside the outer housing 101, the switch is indirectly pressed by pressing the switch unit 103 on the surface of the outer housing 101. The present embodiment describes an example in which the switch of the switch unit 103 is located inside the outer housing 101.
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The flavor inhaler 100 may further include a terminal, which is not shown. The terminal may be an interface for connecting the flavor inhaler 100 to an external power source, for example. If the power source provided in the flavor inhaler 100 is a rechargeable battery, connecting an external power source to the terminal allows a current to flow from the external power source to the power source, thereby charging the power source. Further, the flavor inhaler 100 may be configured to be capable of transmitting data relating to the operation of the flavor inhaler 100 to an external device by connecting a data transmission cable to the terminal.
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The flavor-generating article used in the flavor inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment will be described next. Fig. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a flavor-generating article 110. In the present embodiment, the flavor inhaler 100 and the flavor-generating article 110 may constitute a smoking system. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the flavor-generating article 110 comprises a smokable material 111, a tubular member 114, a hollow filter portion 116, and a filter portion 115.
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The smokable material 111 is wrapped with a first wrapping paper 112. The tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are wrapped with a second wrapping paper 113 that is different from the first wrapping paper 112. The second wrapping paper 113 also wraps a part of the first wrapping paper 112 in which the smokable material 111 is wrapped. The tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 are thus connected to the smokable material 111. However, the second wrapping paper 113 may be omitted, and the first wrapping paper 112 may be used to connect the tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115 to the smokable material 111. A lip release agent 117 is applied to an outer surface of the second wrapping paper 113, near an end portion on the filter portion 115 side, to make it easier for the user's lips to separate from the second wrapping paper 113. The part of the flavor-generating article 110 to which the lip release agent 117 is applied functions as a mouthpiece of the flavor-generating article 110.
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The smokable material 111 may contain a flavor source such as tobacco, and an aerosol source, for example. Moreover, the first wrapping paper 112 that wraps the smokable material 111 may be an air-permeable sheet member. The tubular member 114 may be a paper tube or a hollow filter. In the example illustrated, the flavor-generating article 110 comprises the smokable material 111, the tubular member 114, the hollow filter portion 116, and the filter portion 115, but the configuration of the flavor-generating article 110 is not limited thereto. For example, the hollow filter portion 116 may be omitted, and the tubular member 114 and filter portion 115 may be arranged adjacent to each other.
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Next, an internal structure of the flavor inhaler 100 is described. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flavor inhaler 100 as viewed in the direction of the arrows 3-3 shown in Fig. 1B. As shown in Fig. 3, an inner housing 10 (corresponding to an example of the enclosure) is provided inside the outer housing 101 of the flavor inhaler 100. The inner housing 10 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from, for example, a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymer, or a metal such as aluminum. The inner housing 10 is preferably PEEK from the perspective of heat resistance and strength thereof. A power source unit 20 and the atomization unit 30 are provided in the interior space of the inner housing 10. Also, the outer housing 101 and the inner housing 10 may be referred to together as an enclosure. In the present embodiment, this enclosure accommodates therein the chamber 50 described hereinafter.
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The power source unit 20 comprises a power source 21. The power source 21 may be a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery, for example. The power source 21 is electrically connected to the atomization unit 30. Thus, the power source 21 can supply the atomization unit 30 with power to appropriately heat the flavor-generating article 110.
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As illustrated, the atomization unit 30 comprises the chamber 50 (corresponding to an example of the accommodating portion) extending in the insertion direction (Z-axis direction) of the flavor-generating article 110, a gasket 80 attached to the chamber 50, a heating unit 40 covering a part of the chamber 50, and a heat insulating portion 32. The chamber 50 has an opening formed at one end thereof, and is configured to accommodate at least a part of the flavor-generating article 110 through this opening. In the example illustrated, the heating unit 40 is configured to contact an outer circumferential surface of the chamber 50 to heat the flavor-generating article 110 accommodated in the chamber 50.
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The heat insulating portion 32 is substantially cylindrical overall, and is arranged so as to cover the periphery of the chamber 50. The heat insulating portion 32 may contain an aerogel sheet, for example. The gasket 80 is formed of a resin material, for example, is provided between the slide cover 102 in the closed position and the chamber 50, and is fixed to the inner housing 10. The gasket 80 may be configured to guide the flavor-generating article 110 inserted into the chamber 50. In this case, the flavor-generating article 110 can be easily positioned in relation to the chamber 50 by means of the gasket 80. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, a part of the gasket 80 is preferably exposed from the inner housing 10 and the outer housing 101. In this case, since the user can easily insert the flavor-generating article 110 into the gasket 80, the flavor-generating article 110 can be positioned even more easily in relation to the chamber 50. The gasket 80 communicates with the outside of the flavor inhaler 100 when the slide cover 102 is in the open position, and guides insertion of the flavor-generating article 110 into the chamber 50 by having the flavor-generating article 110 inserted into the gasket 80. In Fig. 3, a state in which the slide cover 102 is closed to cover the entire gasket 80 is shown with a double dashed line.
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A structure of the chamber 50 will be described next. Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the chamber 50. Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 as viewed in the direction of the arrows 4B-4B shown in Fig. 4A. Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 as viewed in the direction of the arrows 5A-5A shown in Fig. 4B. Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 50 as viewed in the direction of the arrows 5B-5B shown in Fig. 4B.
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As shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the chamber 50 has an opening 52 formed at one end thereof, through which the flavor-generating article 110 is inserted, and is configured to accommodate at least a part of the flavor-generating article 110 through this opening 52. The chamber 50 may have a tubular portion 60 configured to surround an outer circumference of the flavor-generating article 110, and a flange portion 52a formed on the chamber 50. The chamber 50 is preferably formed from a material that is heat resistant and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and may be formed from, for example, stainless steel or the like. It should be noted that the chamber 50 may be formed from a material other than a metal, such as PEEK or other resin, glass, ceramic, or the like. This allows for efficient heating of the flavor-generating article 110 from the chamber 50. It should be noted that the shape of the chamber 50 is not limited to a tubular shape and may be a cup shape.
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As shown in Fig. 4B and Fig. 5B, the tubular portion 60 includes a pressing portion 62 and a spaced-apart portion 66. When the flavor-generating article 110 is arranged in a desired position within the chamber 50, the pressing portion 62 contacts or presses a part of the flavor-generating article 110, and the spaced-apart portion 66 is spaced apart from the flavor-generating article 110. It should be noted that, in the present specification, "a desired position within the chamber 50" refers to a position in which the flavor-generating article 110 is heated appropriately, or the position of the flavor-generating article 110 when the user smokes. The pressing portion 62 has an inner surface 62a and an outer surface 62b. The spaced-apart portion 66 has an inner surface 66a and an outer surface 66b. The heating unit 40 shown in Fig. 3 is arranged on the outer surface 62b of the pressing portion 62. The heating unit 40 is preferably arranged on the outer surface 62b of the pressing portion 62 without a gap. It should be noted that the heating unit 40 may contain an adhesive layer. In this case, the heating unit 40 containing an adhesive layer is preferably arranged on the outer surface 62b of the pressing portion 62 without a gap.
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As shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 5B, the outer surface 62b of the pressing portion 62 is planar. As shown in Fig. 4B and Fig. 5B, the inner surface 62a of the pressing portion 62 is planar. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4B and Fig. 5B, the thickness of the pressing portion 62 is uniform. As shown in Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, and Fig. 5B, the chamber 50 has two pressing portions 62 in a circumferential direction of the chamber 50, and the two pressing portions 62 face each other so as to be parallel to one other. The distance between the inner surfaces 62a of the two pressing portions 62 is, at least partially, preferably less than the width of the section of the flavor-generating article 110 that is arranged between the pressing portions 62 when inserted in the chamber 50.
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As shown in Fig. 5B, the inner surface 66a of the spaced-apart portion 66 may have a generally arc-shaped cross-section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the chamber 50. Also, the spaced-apart portion 66 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the pressing portions 62 in the circumferential direction.
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As shown in Fig. 4B, the chamber 50 may have a bottom wall portion 56 sealing the other end opposite the opening 52. Thus, in the present embodiment, no air is drawn in from the bottom wall portion 56 of the chamber 50. The bottom wall portion 56 may support a part of the flavor-generating article 110 inserted into the chamber 50, so as to expose at least a part of an end face of the flavor-generating article 110. Specifically, for example, the bottom wall portion 56 may have a protrusion, not shown, on its inner surface to support a part of the flavor-generating article 110 inserted into the chamber 50. Furthermore, the bottom wall portion 56 may support a part of the flavor-generating article 110 so that the exposed end face of the flavor-generating article 110 communicates with a void 67 (see Fig. 6) described hereinafter.
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As shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the chamber 50 preferably has a tubular non-holding portion 54 between the opening 52 and the tubular portion 60. In a state in which the flavor-generating article 110 is positioned in a desired position in the chamber 50, gaps may be formed between the non-holding portion 54 and the flavor-generating article 110. Also, as shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the chamber 50 preferably has a first guide portion 58 having a tapered surface 58a that connects an inner surface of the non-holding portion 54 and the inner surface 62a of the pressing portion 62.
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Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 5B, showing a state in which the flavor-generating article 110 is arranged in a desired position within the chamber 50. As shown in Fig. 6, when the flavor-generating article 110 is arranged in the desired position within the chamber 50, the flavor-generating article 110 may come into contact with and be pressed by the pressing portion 62 of the chamber 50. Meanwhile, the void 67 is formed between the flavor-generating article 110 and the spaced-apart portion 66. The void 67 may be in communication with the opening 52 of the chamber 50 and an end face of the flavor-generating article 110 positioned within the chamber 50. This allows air that has flowed in from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 to pass through the void 67 and flow into the inside of the flavor-generating article 110. In other words, an air flow path (void 67) is formed between the flavor-generating article 110 and the spaced-apart portion 66.
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The chamber 50 and the gasket 80 will be described in detail next. Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of the chamber 50 and the gasket 80. Specifically, Fig. 7(a) is a schematic side sectional view of the chamber 50 and the gasket 80, and Fig. 7(b) is a schematic top view of the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50. As described above, the chamber 50 comprises the tubular portion 60 and the flange portion 52a. As illustrated, the flange portion 52a comprises a lower face 53a facing the other end side opposite the opening 52 of the tubular portion 60, an upper face 53b opposite the lower face 53a and a side face 53c between the lower face 53a and the upper face 53b.
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In the present embodiment, the gasket 80 is configured to support the flange portion 52a. Specifically, the gasket 80 supports the flange portion 52a by, for example, being fixed to the inner housing 10 or the outer housing 101 shown in Fig. 3. Preferably, the chamber 50 is fixed to the inner housing 10 or the outer housing 101 by the gasket 80 alone. In this case, the heat of the flavor-generating article 110 in the chamber 50 can be prevented from being conducted to the inner housing 10 or the outer housing 101 via members other than the chamber 50 and gasket 80, so the thermal insulation properties of the flavor inhaler 100 and the efficiency of heating the flavor-generating article 110 can be improved. This is not limiting, and the chamber 50 may be fixed to the inner housing 10 or the outer housing 101 by other members in addition to the gasket 80.
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In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the gasket 80 preferably covers the upper face 53b, the lower face 53a, and the side face 53c of the flange portion 52a to support the flange portion 52a. Thus, since the flange portion 52a and the gasket 80 are at least engaged, the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50 can be inhibited from becoming dislodged from the gasket 80. Therefore, the gasket 80 can be mounted onto the chamber 50 without the use of an adhesive, so it is possible to inhibit detachment of the gasket 80 from the chamber 50 due to heat, and to inhibit an increase in the number of steps due to use of the adhesive.
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The gasket 80 may have a gap with the flange portion 52a, but is preferably in close contact with the flange portion 52a. Specifically, the gasket 80 is preferably in close contact with at least one of the upper face 53b, the lower face 53a, and the side face 53c of the flange portion 52a so that no gas passes between the flange portion 52a and the gasket 80. The gasket 80 is more preferably integrally molded with the flange portion 52a. In this case, since the gasket 80 is fixed to the flange portion 52a, movement of the chamber 50 in relation to the gasket 80 can be inhibited when the flavor-generating article 110 is inserted into or removed from the chamber 50. As a result, the user can stably insert and remove the flavor-generating article 110 into and from the chamber 50. In addition, a seal can be formed between the gasket 80 and the flange portion 52a, which can inhibit aerosol or vapor generated in the chamber 50 from flowing out from between the gasket 80 and the flange portion 52a.
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For example, the gasket 80 may be integrally molded with the flange portion 52a by attaching a mold to the flange portion 52a and pouring the material of the gasket 80 (such as synthetic resin) into the mold. In this case, the gasket 80 is in close contact with the upper face 53b, the lower face 53a, and the side face 53c of the flange portion 52a. The gasket 80 is, for example, made of resin, and may in particular be formed from, for example, a polycarbonate (PC), an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), or a polymer alloy containing a plurality of types of polymer. It should be noted that the gasket 80 may be formed from metal, glass, ceramic, or the like. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of heat resistance, the gasket 80 is preferably made of PEEK.
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As shown in Fig. 7(a), an air layer A1 is preferably formed between the gasket 80 and the tubular portion 60. In other words, the gasket 80 located on the lower face 53a side is preferably spaced apart from the tubular portion 60. In this case, when the flavor-generating article 110 accommodated in the tubular portion 60 is heated, the heat of the flavor-generating article 110 can be inhibited from being conducted directly to the gasket 80 via the tubular portion 60, so the thermal insulation properties of the flavor inhaler 100 and the efficiency of heating the flavor-generating article 110 can be improved.
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Also, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the flange portion 52a preferably extends from an edge portion defining the opening 52. In other words, the flange portion 52a is preferably formed at an end portion of the chamber 50. In this case, since the flange portion 52a is provided at a position furthest from the tubular portion 60, the heat of the flavor-generating article 110 accommodated in the tubular portion 60 can be inhibited from being conducted through the flange portion 52a. As a result, the thermal insulation properties of the flavor inhaler 100 and the efficiency of heating the flavor-generating article 110 can be improved.
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It should be noted that if the chamber 50 does not comprise the flange portion 52a, the gasket 80 may be provided so as to contact the edge portion defining the opening 52 of the chamber 50 and an outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion 60 of the chamber 50. Furthermore, a recess, protrusion, a groove, or the like, not shown, may be provided on the surface of the chamber 50, and the gasket 80 may be shaped so that a part of the gasket 80 comes into engagement with the recess, the protrusion, the groove, or the like, to improve the sealability of the chamber 50 and the gasket 80.
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As shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the chamber 50 preferably has the pressing portion 62 configured to press the flavor-generating article 110 accommodated in the chamber 50. In this case, the flavor-generating article 110 can be stably held by the chamber 50. Also, in this case, since the pressing portion 62 makes it difficult for the flavor-generating article 110 in the chamber 50 to move, forces in the circumferential direction and the insertion direction are readily applied to the chamber 50 when the flavor-generating article 110 is inserted into or removed from the chamber 50. Thus, when the flange portion 52a is fixed to or engaged with the gasket 80, movement of the chamber 50 relative to the gasket 80 can be inhibited when the flavor-generating article 110 is inserted into or removed from the chamber 50. As a result, the user can stably insert and remove the flavor-generating article 110 into and from the chamber 50.
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The tubular portion 60 may be configured to heat the flavor-generating article 110. In the present embodiment, since the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50 is supported by the gasket 80, the heat of the tubular portion 60 can be inhibited from being conducted to the flange portion 52a as compared to when the tubular portion 60 of the chamber 50 is supported by the gasket 80. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, by arranging the heating unit 40 on the outer surface of the tubular portion 60 of the chamber 50, the tubular portion 60 may heat the flavor-generating article 110. Alternatively, the tubular portion 60 may include a susceptor, and the tubular portion 60 may heat the flavor-generating article 110 by being inductively heated by an induction coil, not shown.
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As shown in Fig. 7(b), in the present embodiment, the shape of the opening 52 viewed from the longitudinal direction of the chamber 50 is circular and the external shape of the flange portion 52a is also circular. This is not limiting, and the shape of the opening 52 viewed from the longitudinal direction of the chamber 50 and the external shape of the flange portion 52a may be different. In this case, the flange portion 52a may have any external shape, so the flange portion 52a having a shape which engages with the gasket 80 can inhibit movement of the chamber 50 relative to the gasket 80. Fig. 8 is a schematic top view of the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50 of another embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 8(a), the external shape of the flange portion 52a is elliptical. In the example shown in Fig. 8(b), the external shape of the flange portion 52a is circular with protrusions in part. It is a quadrangular shape. In the example shown in Fig. 8(c), the external shape of the flange portion 52a is a quadrangular shape.
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As shown in Fig. 8, the shape of the opening 52 viewed from the longitudinal direction of the chamber 50 is preferably circular. In this case, even if a circumferential force is applied to the chamber 50 when the flavor-generating article 110 is inserted into or removed from the chamber 50, the flange portion 52a having a non-circular external shape engages with the gasket 80 circumferentially and becomes susceptible to resistance. Circumferential movement of the chamber 50 can therefore be inhibited. Also, since the cross-sectional shape of the flavor-generating article 110 is generally circular, the flavor-generating article 110 can be easily inserted into the opening 52.
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Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of the chamber 50 and gasket 80 according to another embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 9(a) is a schematic side sectional view of the chamber 50 and gasket 80 of another embodiment, and Fig. 9(b) is a schematic top view of the flange portion 52a of the chamber 50 of another embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the chamber 50 has an upright portion 55 extending from the flange portion 52a at an angle to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the chamber 50. In this case, even if a circumferential force is applied to the chamber 50 when the flavor-generating article 110 is inserted into or removed from the chamber 50, the upright portion 55 engages with the gasket 80 circumferentially and becomes susceptible to resistance. Circumferential movement of the chamber 50 can therefore be inhibited. In the example illustrated, the upright portion 55 extends in the longitudinal direction of the chamber 50. The upright portion 55 may extend at an inclination with respect to the longitudinal direction of the chamber 50. In this case, even if a longitudinal force is applied to the chamber 50 when the flavor-generating article 110 is inserted into or removed from the chamber 50, the upright portion 55 engages with the gasket 80 longitudinally and becomes susceptible to resistance.
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As shown in the diagram, the upright portion 55 is preferably embedded in the gasket 80 in close contact with the gasket 80. This is not limiting, and it is sufficient for the upright portion 55 to be arranged so as to be capable of contacting the gasket 80.
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Embodiments of the present invention were described above, but the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept disclosed in the claims, specification and drawings. Moreover, any shape or material not directly stated in the specification or drawings also falls within the scope of the technical concept of the invention of the invention of the present application, provided that it exhibits the action and advantageous effect of the invention of the present application.
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For example, the flavor inhaler 100 according to the embodiment has what is known as a counterflow-type air flow path in which air flowing in from the opening 52 of the chamber 50 is supplied to the end face of the flavor-generating article 110, but the configuration is not limited thereto, and what is known as a bottom-flow-type air flow path in which air is supplied into the chamber 50 from the bottom wall portion 56 of the chamber 50 may be provided. Furthermore, the heating unit 40 is not limited to a resistance heating type, and may be an induction heating type. In this case, the heating unit 40 can be inductively heated by an induction coil, not shown, to heat the chamber 50. Alternatively, the tubular portion 60 of the chamber 50 may comprise a susceptor. In this case, the susceptor of the tubular portion 60 may be inductively heated by an induction coil, not shown. Furthermore, if the flavor-generating article 110 includes a susceptor, the heating unit 40 can heat the susceptor of the flavor-generating article 110 by induction heating.
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Several aspects disclosed in the present specification are provided below.
- (1) A flavor inhaler, comprising:
- an accommodating portion having an opening formed at one end thereof and accommodating at least a part of a flavor-generating article via the opening; and
- a gasket supporting the accommodating portion, wherein
- the accommodating portion comprises:
- a tubular portion configured to surround an outer circumference of the flavor-generating article; and
- a flange portion formed on the accommodating portion, and
- the gasket covers an upper face, a lower face, and a side face of the flange portion to support the flange portion.
- (2) The flavor inhaler according to (1), wherein
an air layer is formed between the gasket and the tubular portion. - (3) The flavor inhaler according to (1) or (2), wherein
the gasket is integrally molded with the flange portion. - (4) The flavor inhaler according to any of (1) to (3), comprising:
- an enclosure accommodating the accommodating portion therein; wherein
- the accommodating portion is fixed to the enclosure by the gasket alone.
- (5) The flavor inhaler according to any of (1) to (4), wherein
the shape of the opening viewed from a longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion differs from the external shape of the flange portion. - (6) The flavor inhaler according to (5), wherein
the shape of the opening viewed from the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion is circular. - (7) The flavor inhaler according to any of (1) to (6), wherein
the accommodating portion includes an upright portion extending from the flange portion at an angle to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the accommodating portion. - (8) The flavor inhaler according to any of (1) to (7), wherein
the gasket is configured to guide the flavor-generating article inserted into the accommodating portion. - (9) The flavor inhaler according to (8), comprising:
- an enclosure accommodating the accommodating portion therein, wherein
- a part of the gasket is exposed from the enclosure.
- (10) The flavor inhaler according to any of (1) to (9), wherein
the accommodating portion includes a pressing portion configured to press the flavor-generating article accommodated in the accommodating portion. - (11) The flavor inhaler according to any of (1) to (10), wherein
the tubular portion is configured to heat the flavor-generating article. - (12) The flavor inhaler according to any of (1) to (11), wherein
the flange portion extends from an edge portion defining the - (13) The flavor inhaler according to any of (1) to (12), wherein
the accommodating portion includes a bottom wall portion sealing the other end opposite the opening.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
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- 10 Inner housing
- 50 Chamber
- 52 Opening
- 52a Flange portion
- 53a Lower face
- 53b Upper face
- 53c Side face
- 55 Upright portion
- 56 Bottom wall portion
- 60 Tubular portion
- 62 Pressing portion
- 80 Gasket
- 100 Flavor inhaler
- 101 Outer housing
- 110 Flavor-generating article
- A1 Air layer
- T1 Thickness